The US Army has a number of ground combat vehicles in the works. The Armored MultiPurpose Vehicle (AMPV) and the Optionally Manned Fighting Vehicle (OMFV) are two examples. CBO recently reported that the army could purchase a new system by 2035. The construction contract that was awarded to the AMPV in 2014 actually shows that the AMPV is well on its way. Abrams X however is far from a new platform. A prototype has been made.
The new vehicle is being described as the next-generation light armored tank for Infantry Brigade Combat Teams. The M-113 armored personnel car will be used until the vehicle enters the field. The M113, a robot-powered M113, and mobile protected firing power are other vehicles that are in development. There is a long road ahead for these vehicles. For the Abrams' future, however, it is best to remain loyal.
In the coming decades, OMFV and a new breed OMFV ground combat vehicles will play an important role. They can be used to accomplish multiple missions using one vehicle. With some ingenuity, they may prove to be less expensive and less intrusive than their manned predecessors. A battle squadron can be ready for battle quickly by using two or more of these vehicles.
The lightest weapon in the new vehicle's arsenal is, however, also the most powerful. The RPG-7 is rumored to be the most powerful weapon in the vehicle, but the M113 armored lightweight M113 and its kin could prove to be a force multiplier. Moreover, the AMPV is likely to take on the responsibilities of the venerable Abrams, paving the way for a resurgence of American infantry units lost in the late 1990s. The AMPV can also save the budget hundreds of millions of dollars. In the end, it is still to be seen which one of these vehicles will prevail in the grand scheme. The future of the US Army remains uncertain. A successful campaign depends on having the right vehicle at just the right moment. The Army's decision-making machine works hard to determine the best course.
